Latest features Hangover remedies put to the test

Date Published:

28/08/2008

Charlie Cottrell went in search of your die-hard hangover remedies and asked Kim Porter, from The Nutrition Coach why they help your head the morning after the night before

We're all for drinking responsibly here at 4Food but even we virtuous types have succumbed to the odd one too many. One minute you're chugging beers and sinking mojitos with a Latin lovely, the next you're on your knees paying homage to the ivory goddess. If you've been on a bender and need a fail-safe mender you might want to try one of these.

You said:
"Nibbling on a really fiery ginger biscuit takes me from weeping under the duvet through a day at work every time."
Kim said:
Ginger has traditionally been used as an anti-sickness remedy and for soothing the digestion so there could well be something in this for a hangover cure. However, biscuits and the ginger beer are pretty sugary which will cause blood sugar levels to soar – initially this can feel pretty good after a hard night out on the tiles but, as the sugar starts to wear off, it can leave you feeling rough again and on the hunt for more sugar.
Redemption rating: 4/10

You said:
"Powerade. Specifically the blue one."
Kim said:
Powerade is often used by athletes to rehydrate and replenish lost electrolytes and glucose after intense exercise. Waking up with a hangover, particularly if you’ve been sick, does call for boosting blood sugar and replacing electrolytes but there are better ways of doing this than drinking sports drinks. I'm not a big fan; it's bright blue and that can't be good for you.
Redemption rating: 2/10

You said:
"I was coming home from a rugby tour and being sick over the side of the ferry when the coach told me to try this. It sorted me right out."
Kim said:
This must be the strangest hangover 'cure' I have ever heard. Eating icing is probably driven by a strong need for sugar. Alcohol is a stimulant which means it raises blood sugar levels fairly quickly, which is followed by a sugar low. By the time morning comes not only have you got a banging head but also low blood sugar, hence the need to eat (if you can stomach it). An icing high is short lived and sugar levels will soon plummet again.
Redemption rating: 1/10

You said:
"Take on as much orange juice as your body can physically handle."
Kim said:
Orange juice is high in natural fruit sugar so helps to raise sugar levels. The sausage roll provides protein which is good for blood sugar levels but it's also high in fat, which puts more strain on the liver.
Redemption rating: 4/10

You said:
"Pickled Onion Monster Munch. Done."
Kim said:
You don’t need me to tell you that the nutritional benefits of Monster Munch are practically zero. I can’t imagine that the taste of pickled onions in your mouth is very pleasant when you have a hangover either. Most people tend to crave junk when they have a hangover and this is just what crisps are.
Redemption rating: 1/10

You said:
"Two pints of water and a fizzy vitamin C thing before you go to bed - providing you’re not too smashed to make it to a source of water. Hasn't failed me yet."
Kim said:
Lots of water and vitamin C sounds like a great idea to try and ward off a hangover. The water is obviously important for rehydrating, as alcohol is a diuretic. Every 50ml of alcohol you drink produces around half a litre of urine. Vitamin C is needed by the liver to help it detoxify the alcohol.
Redemption rating: 8/10

You said:
"A bacon and egg roll, the greasier the better."
Kim said:
A bacon and egg roll has long been the hangover cure for many, and for good reason. A bread roll is high in carbohydrate which helps to lift blood sugar levels but choose brown over white bread for its B vitamin content. B vitamins are vital for liver detoxification. Eggs and bacon provide lots of protein to keep blood sugar levels stable, though greasy options put more strain on the liver.
Redemption rating: 6/10

You said:
"Jelly. Seriously. Especially the kind with fruit suspended in it they sell at Marks & Spencer."
Kim said:
Jelly is high in sugar so can provide a much needed sugar fix when you have a hangover, but this is short lived. The fruit in the jelly is an added bonus as it boosts the nutritional content of the jelly and gives the liver a helping hand in detoxification.
Redemption rating: 4/10

You said:
"It's a Mexican beer with added chilli powder, hot sauce, lime juice, soy sauce and Worcester sauce."
Kim said:
Wow. It's a brave person who has this on a hangover. I can't think of any benefits whatsoever of this 'cure'. The chilli might help stimulate a sluggish digestion but it's more likely to have you rushing to the loo. Perhaps this is the idea - to purge your body of the alcohol.
Redemption rating: 0/10

You said:
"The hair of the dog - but why?"
Kim said:
I’m not sure why some people swear by hair of the dog. It could be because initially it gives you a blood sugar kick but then it leaves you feeling worse by over-burdening the liver even more, and leaving you feeling very dehydrated.
Redemption rating: 0/10

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